Kate, from kate's crossing blog, taking a photo with her fuji camera covering travel resources.

Favorite Travel Resources

The Best Travel resources so you can confidently and smartly cross everything off your bucket list!

After traveling to 27 countries and planning all my own trips, I’d say I’ve become an expert on travel resources! Here are the websites and companies I love, use, and highly recommend for planning your travels.

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Travel Essentials

TRAVEL CREDIT CARD

When you are buying all of your necessary everyday things, why not save money on travel at the same time? My absolute favorite travel credit card is linked below. Check it out

E SIM

My favorite place to buy an E-Sim is Airalo. I’ve purchased with them everywhere I’ve gone.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Traveler’s insurance is a MUST-have for all adventurers! Especially if you plan to do any of the bucket list experiences I mention in this blog!

Learn How to Travel For Free!

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    TOURS

    These are the two best resources for guided tours! They offer a huge variety of private and small group tours. I book with both everywhere I go!

    MY SECRET TO FINDING CHEAP FLIGHTS!

    FARE DROP:

    Every day, FareDrop will send the best flight deals straight to your inbox, so you don’t have to search for them. Just pick your departure city or cities, and they’ll do the rest. It’s been a game-changer for us as frequent travelers.


    SECRETFLYING.COM

    This is one of my favorite sites and newsletters for flight deals. If you’re after awesome flight deals, you NEED to bookmark this page. No signup needed and totally free!



    Travel Logistics

    FLIGHTS

    My favorite resource for booking cheap airfare is Expedia. They partnered with Hotels.com and VRBO so combined you can earn One Key Cash back on all your travel needs. This adds up to huge savings!

    ACCOMMODATION

    Hotels.com is my go-to resource for booking accommodations. Their loyalty program offers one key cash and extra VIP savings you won’t find elsewhere. I also love VRBO for vacation rentals.

    TRANSPORTATION

    Unless you are traveling around an urban area with decent public transport, you will most likely want to rent a car. Book with Expedia and earn even more One Key Cash for huge savings!


    Eurail Pass:
    Travel Europe By Train

    Is the Eurail Pass Worth It? Here’s the Truth after Multiple Trips

    How to Use the Eurail Pass: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Timers


    Things I Never Travel Without!

    Fujifilm x-t100 mirrorless camera in a champagne and black color

    My favorite travel camera is the Fujifilm X-T100 Mirrorless Digital Camera. It’s compact, lightweight and takes great photos! Perfect for beginners but also great for experts who don’t want to travel with bulky camera gear.

    Tozo wireless bluetooth earbuds in champagne color

    I refuse to fly without noise-canceling earbuds! These ones are just as good as the apple pods but way more comfortable and a fraction of the cost!

    Black Patagonia tote duffle bag

    I’m obsessed with my tote/backpack from Patagonia! It’s perfect as my personal item bag on the plane and then becomes my day trip backpack. This sucker holds a shit tone!


    Solo Travel Must-haves!

    I always bring this little safety alarm when I travel alone—it’s loud, easy to use, and makes me feel a lot safer.

    This little doorstop alarm is perfect for hotel rooms—just slip it under the door at night and and you’ll sleep like a baby!

    This phone tripod is how I take all my solo travel photos—it’s lightweight, easy to pack, and comes with a remote so you can snap pics from anywhere.


    Packing Guides

    Packing List Freebies

    Click on the packing lists below to download and print so you don’t forget anything!



    My Favorite Travel Gear!

    Here’s a all my go-to travel gear that I’ve tried, tested, and loved on every trip I take! If you’re looking for new travel essentials, these wont disappoint.

    Long Flight Essentials

    This is the only neck pillow I’ve found that works for me. It packs flat, fits in my bag, and works great without the bulk!

    I’ve tried a lot of sleep masks over the years, but this one is by far my favorite.

    I always bring this little travel blanket with me—it packs down super small and has saved me on so many chilly flights and long train rides.


    Best Toiletries to Reduce Liquids!

    I started using these solid shampoo & Conditioner bars for travel and now I won’t go back. They take no space, never leak, and last way longer than I expected. Plus, they actually work!

    This dry shampoo powder is one of my favorite travel hacks. It’s easy to pack and works great on days I don’t wash my hair. A little goes a long way!

    I love this powder sunscreen for travel. No mess, just enough coverage I don’t need makeup, and has good protection.


    Favorite Bags For Packing!

    I’ve tried so many toiletry bags over the years, and this is the only one that has truly made me happy. I love how its clear so I can see everything and it hangs which is perfect for small bathrooms in Europe!

    I’ve hunted for the perfect tech gear bag and I finally found it—trust me I’ve tried them all!

    Compression packing cubes are a must—and these ones are my favorite! Especially the National Park Designs! But they’re not just cute, they really help me fit everything in my carry on!


    My Favorite Tech Essentials!

    This is the only travel adapter I pack now—it works in so many countries and makes it easy to charge all my devices in one spot.

    This little nano charger is super tiny, but it works fast and takes up almost no space—perfect for travel days when you need to pack light.

    This is my favorite charger pack because it’s compact, cordless, and charges my phone three times—plus, it can charge more than one device at once!


    My Favorite Travel Accessories!

    If you know me you know I LOVE hats and this is my favorite travel hat. It’s super cute! I get compliments on it all the time!

    This is the belt bag I take on every trip—I love how easy it is to wear, and it holds just enough without feeling bulky. It’s seriously my favorite.

    These folding sunglasses are perfect for travel—they’re cute, polarized, and take up almost no space in your purse or day bag.


    My Favorite Travel Shoes!

    These Birkenstock sandals go everywhere with me—they’re crazy comfortable, hold up for years, and perfect for everything from beach days to city strolls.

    These white sneakers are my go-to travel shoes—they’re comfy enough to walk in all day, go with everything, and still look cute in photos!

    These are hands-down my favorite winter boots for Christmas markets—warm, waterproof, and comfy enough to wear all day while wandering cobblestone streets and snowy stalls.


    Travel Planning Posts

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      Winter Travel Must-Haves!

      These rechargeable hand warmers were a total lifesaver at the Christmas markets—my hands stayed warm all night while I snapped photos and sipped glühwein!

      Vacuum compression bags make a huge difference when packing bulky sweaters or coats during the winter—I fit so much more in my suitcase!

      Merino wool base layers are a must for cold trips and these ones are well loved by me and my husband! They’re super warm, soft, and don’t get smelly, even after multiple wears!

      Belize: Resources to Plan The Perfect Trip!


      Favorite Beach Essentials!

      This is my go-to beach hat—it rolls up perfectly for packing, keeps the sun off my face, and still looks super cute with any outfit.

      If you don’t have a sand free towel in your life you need one! I take it everywhere! It’s super lightweight, dries fast, and the best part – Sand doesn’t stick to it!

      This waterproof bag comes with me on every beach trip—it keeps all my stuff dry, even if it rains or my bag gets splashed, and it’s really easy to carry.


      BUCKET LISTS >>>

      Kate standing on a cliff edge, gazing at the stunning turquoise waters of Mooney Falls in Havasu, Arizona, surrounded by red rock and green moss.

      Looking for travel inspiration, check out my travel bucket lists.


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        Road Trip Essentials!

        Thanks to my husband this car phone mount totally changed my road trip game—it makes navigating soooo much easier!

        This tiny travel lumbar pillow is another game-changer for your road trips—it’s super easy to pack and makes long drives way more comfortable!

        This collapsible travel mug is perfect for saving space in your bag—plus it keeps drinks hot and folds down flat when you’re done. I take it everywhere!